Shuzenji Onsen (C‘PŽ›‰·ς) is one of the oldest and most famous hot spring resort towns on the Izu Peninsula. Located in the hilly center of the peninsula, it lacks the ocean views of many nearby onsen towns but attracts visitors with its history and attractive setting.

Shuzenji Onsen was named after Shuzenji Temple (C‘TŽ›) at the town center. Kobo Daishi, one of Japan's most important religious persons, founded the temple about 1200 years ago. Today, it is a Zen Buddhist temple.

Kobo Daishi is also said to have created Shuzenji's most prominent hot spring, Tokko-no-yu, located in the middle of the river bed that runs through the town center. Today, Tokko-no-yu is used as a foot bath.

Other attractions in Shuzenji's town center include a small bamboo forest, several historic ryokan and a few tastefully designed shops and cafes. Onsen bathing is possible at the town's public bath, Hakoyu. Furthermore, several of the town's ryokan open their baths to non-staying guests during the day for a fee (from around 1000 yen).

Getting there and around

Take the Izuhakone Railway from Mishima Station to Shuzenji Station (35 minutes, 550 yen one way, frequent departures). Alternatively, there are a few direct JR limited express Odoriko trains that run all the way from Tokyo to Shuzenji (around 2 hours, about 4500 yen one way). The Japan Rail Pass does not cover trains between Mishima and Shuzenji.

From Shuzenji Station, it is still a 5-10 minute bus or taxi ride to the hot spring town. Take a frequent bus bound for Shuzenji Onsen (C‘PŽ›‰·ς) or Nijino Sato (“ψ‚Μ‹½) and get off at Shuzenji Onsen (260 yen one way). A taxi ride costs about 1300 yen one way.

How to get to and around the Izu Peninsula

Hotels around Izu Peninsula

Top rated on the Izu Peninsula
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    • Furuya Ryokan
      Luxury
      Built in 1806, Furuya is the oldest ryokan in the Atami hot-springs area. A 3-minute walk to Atami Sun Beach, it boasts a variety of beautiful hot-spring baths and features traditional Japanese rooms, some with their own private hot-spring bath. Rooms at Furuya Ryokan are decorated in Japanfs famous minimalistic style, and include an LCD TV and a low table with floor cushions. Each room is air-conditioned and includes an en suite bathroom. A 2-minute walk to the Atami Ginza shopping area, the ryokan is a 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from JR Atami Train Station. On-site parking is free. Guests can soak in the indoor bath, which uses pure hot-spring water pumped directly from the source. Guests can also unwind with a massage or check out the unique local wares at the gift shop. Multiple courses of gorgeously presented Japanese cuisine are served for the Kaiseki dinner, and breakfast is a traditional set menu. In-room dinners are served at 18:00.
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    • Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI
      Luxury
      Facing the beachfront, Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI offers 5-star accommodation in Atami and features a fitness centre, terrace and restaurant. The property is set 600 metres from Atami Sun Beach, 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station and 30 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. The hotel has a sauna, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All rooms are equipped with a kettle, while some rooms come with a balcony and others also have sea views. A buffet breakfast is available at Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath. Guests can make use of the business centre or relax in the bar. With staff speaking English, Japanese and Chinese, information is available at the reception. Mount Daruma is 44 km from Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI, while Hakone Checkpoint is 24 km away.
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    • Watei Kazekomichi
      Luxury
      Featuring sea views, Watei Kazekomichi provides accommodation with balcony, around 2.2 km from Atami Sun Beach. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the open-air bath, or enjoy mountain views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a hot tub. The ryokan offers certain units with garden views, and each unit is equipped with a kettle. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 28 km from Watei Kazekomichi, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km away.
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    • Atami Sekaie
      Luxury
      Atami Sekaie is set in Atami, 2.5 km from Atami Sun Beach, 25 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, as well as 36 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk. At the ryokan, each unit comes with a private bathroom. Hakone Checkpoint is 22 km from the ryokan, while Hakone Shrine is 25 km away.
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    • SOKI ATAMI
      Luxury
      SOKI ATAMI features a sauna and a hot spring bath, as well as air-conditioned accommodation in Atami, 1.7 km from Atami Sun Beach. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. There is a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, and free private parking is available. At the ryokan, all units include a balcony. Each unit is fitted with a kettle, a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while some rooms are fitted with a terrace and some have sea views. All units have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen. The ryokan offers a buffet or Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 27 km from SOKI ATAMI, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km from the property.
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    • Atami Onsen Sakuraya Ryokan
      Luxury
      Offering a garden and quiet street view, Atami Onsen Sakuraya Ryokan is located in Atami, 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station and 34 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Atami Sun Beach, and guests can benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi. Guests also enjoy access to the sauna and hot spring bath, as well as the public bath and open-air bath. The ryokan comes with a flat-screen TV. Additional in-room amenities include wine or champagne. Mount Daruma is 49 km from the ryokan, while Hakone Checkpoint is 24 km away.
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    • Syukaen Yunohanazen
      Luxury
      Syukaen Yunohanazen is set in Atami, 27 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, 29 km from Shuzen-ji Temple, and 43 km from Mount Daruma. The 4-star ryokan features sea views and is 1.2 km from Atami Sun Beach. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a tatami, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Hakone Checkpoint is 25 km from the ryokan, while Hakone Shrine is 28 km away.
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    • Taiseikan
      Mid-range
      Offering an open-air bath and sea view, Taiseikan is set in Atami, 1.8 km from Nagahama Beach and 24 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. Ideally located in the Ajiro Onsen district, this ryokan offers a shared lounge, as well as a hot spring bath and a public bath. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 33 km from the ryokan, while Mount Daruma is 38 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Kan-ichi
      Luxury
      Offering a bar and city view, Hotel Kan-ichi is set in Atami, 300 metres from Atami Sun Beach and 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. Featuring an open-air bath, the 4-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The ryokan has private parking, a hot spring bath and a 24-hour front desk. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV. Each unit has a safety deposit box and selected rooms also offer sea views. At the ryokan, the units include bed linen and towels. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Shuzen-ji Temple is 34 km from Hotel Kan-ichi, while Mount Daruma is 48 km from the property.
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    • Guesthouse Nishihara
      Budget-friendly
      Offering a garden and mountain view, Guesthouse Nishihara is located in Atami, 1.7 km from Atami Sun Beach and 25 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. With free WiFi, this 2-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a barbecue. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee machine, a hot tub, slippers and a desk. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen equipped with a fridge, a stovetop, and kitchenware. At the guest house, every unit has bed linen and towels. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Shuzen-ji Temple is 35 km from the guest house, while Mount Daruma is 49 km away.
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